Abstract / DOI
The Model of Love and Marriage in Pauline Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians. The letters to the Colossians and Ephesians integrate the ethos of agape into their model of Christian marriage. This integration is a consequence of the marriage teaching of Jesus and Paul. Although it is connected with the traditional roles of men and women in antiquity it opens the perspective of love as essence of marriage. The use of agape makes sure that it is the love of God which inspires, motivates and forms the human love between the spouses. The reference to the love of Jesus Christ to the Church declares the marriage of love as sacrament. Therefore Colossians and Ephesians do not build a coalition with traditional marriage cultures but show how in modern times Christian Religion favours humanity.